The Changed Woman: Self-Empowerment Through a Divorce Photoshoot
“Divorce boudoir was a chance to honour my journey, my strength and the parts of myself I once hid.”
Whether you’re in the messy limbo of a relationship that’s not serving you, going through a separation or already out the other side feeling tenderhearted, tired and a little lost – this divorce photoshoot blog is for you, darling.
It begins on a warm and balmy summer afternoon where I wandered down the sand dunes with my beautiful client, Chloe, to dance in the waves of freedom, pour champagne in celebration and drag a once-white wedding dress through the mud.
“I’ve never done a divorce photoshoot before.”
Shares Chloe. “I did a boudoir ‘shoot with Marie-Ann once, when I was married, but my divorce boudoir experience was something else entirely. It’s like I rediscovered my worth. Even though things ended quite amicably with my ex-partner, I still felt like I lost myself as a person during that relationship and only saw myself as a mother. After the separation I realised how much of myself was ‘gone’ and I needed a way to find myself again.”
💋 Read On, Darling: ‘How do I show myself self love, authentically?’
Boudoir Divorce Photoshoot Ideas
A divorce photoshoot is an incredibly empowering experience – giving you the freedom to let go of the emotions and exhaustion often tied up in a separation. Taking inspiration from Chloe’s beach boudoir, here’s some of my favourite boudoir divorce photoshoot ideas.
Trash your wedding dress (or any wedding dress!)
I encourage women to bring their wedding dress along to a divorce photoshoot – even if it doesn’t fit anymore. Whether you wear it or not, the dress becomes a symbol of rebirth and it can be cathartic to “undo” the perfect bridal image. And if you no longer have your original wedding dress, something white from the thrift store makes for the perfect trash-worthy prop.
Using divorce boudoir to focus on the future instead of the past
There’s also the option to make your divorce photoshoot entirely about the future. It can be a celebration of freedom, new beginnings and looking ahead – rather than marking the end of your relationship chapter. While Chloe did opt to do a version of ‘trash the dress’, she emphasises, “Nothing about the photoshoot felt regretful or negative. I look at all of my photos and feel empowered; like I put myself first and had the courage to walk away and live a life that’s true to me”.
Choosing a divorce photoshoot location with meaning
Your divorce photoshoot can take place anywhere that’s meaningful to you – and it doesn’t need to be tied to your previous relationship. For Chloe, “Water is so cleansing – so the beach felt like the perfect place for my divorce boudoir photoshoot. It’s like the water was washing away the old chapters of my life to make way for new beginnings”.
💋 Read On, Darling: 10+ Boudoir Photoshoot Ideas and Creative Themes
How to book a professional divorce photoshoot session online?
To book a professional divorce photoshoot session online, head to my contact page, complete the form and I’ll be in touch with availability for in-studio and on-location divorce photoshoot sessions.
Ready to book your divorce boudoir photoshoot with Maru Collective? 📸
I’m Marie-Ann, a New South Wales boudoir photographer based in Maitland. Alongside traditional boudoir photography, I offer women unique divorce photoshoot and divorce boudoir experiences to empower you at whatever stage of life you’re at. I’d be delighted to go on the journey with you, darling!